For the Chicago Bears, Week 18 represents far more than a regular-season finale. It's an opportunity to close the year with a statement divisional win and secure a playoff berth, and the blueprint begins with D’Andre Swift and controlling the game's tempo.
It's been nearly three months, but the last time the two teams met, Chicago failed spectacularly in that area. Detroit dominated time of possession in a 52–21 blowout back in Week 2, repeatedly keeping the Bears’ offense off the field and exposing a defense left stranded for long stretches. That loss still lingers, and it has shaped how Chicago approaches the final week of what has been an outstanding regular season.